NBC on Yahoo SportsBattle for Redskins' backup QB job could be a long one
The battle between Kirk Cousins and Colt McCoy for the Redskins’ No. 2 quarterback job figures to be an intense one.
It could also be a very long one, according to Coach Jay Gruden.
“Very deeply,” Gruden said following Wednesday’s minicamp practice, asked how deep into training camp he expects the battle to last. “You know, we have those four preseason games and that’s really going to tell the tale. We have training camp. We’ll get a lot of reps in training camp, and when Houston comes [to Richmond for joint practices] we’ll get a great look at them. … The second and third quarterback will be decided then.”
Robert Griffin III has taken every first team snap during OTAs and mandatory minicamp and, after a sharp practice Tuesday, likely put more distance between himself and the others.
Cousins and McCoy, meantime, have continued to alternate days leading the second team. McCoy took the reps snaps Wednesday.
“You saw Colt do some great things today,” Gruden said. “Kirk did some good things yesterday. Both of them are making their case known.”
“Both of them have had a taste of the starting quarterback job in the NFL and they both want it back real bad,” Gruden added. “They're doing an excellent job at competing every day. It's killing them on the inside, I know it."
Cousins started five games last season, but threw away his chance by tossing nine interceptions. McCoy was inconsistent in four starts and finished the season on injured reserve. It will probably take a slip-up by Griffin for either of them to get another shot at starting in 2015, particularly early on. So, for right now, they've got to be content competing for the second string job.
